Munster U16 and U18s out of luck

Hockey: An interprovincial campaign that started with some promise ultimately unravelled for Munster’s U16 and U18 teams, who finished without a point to their name.

The U18s looked set to get off to a great start on Friday, leading three times against Leinster through Julian Dale’s double and a sweet Matthew Lee deflection. But they were pegged back each time before David Nolan nailed his second penalty stroke of the game just before full-time to see the hosts escape with a 4-3 win.

John McGrath’s side then pushed Ulster all the way on Saturday before again suffering late heartbreak as Sean Murray won the tie late on with the game’s only goal. Tired legs and injuries — including co-captain Alex Deane — then saw a 6-0 capitulation to a fresher Leinster later that day.

They ended with a 3-1 defeat by Ulster, Dale again the scorer, while Leinster claimed their fourth successive title at U18 level as they saw off Ulster 2-0 in the vital final encounter.

Peter Catchpole’s U16 side left themselves too much to do against Leinster on Friday, going down 3-0 before Calum Crowley and Fabio Greco’s goals helped them rally in a 5-2 loss.

But things got worse in a 9-3 defeat by Ulster — Jacob Hermon netting four for the northerners — and an 8-0 mauling by Leinster, before Hermon knocked in two more in a 4-0 win yesterday morning.

Ulster took the title on goal difference, ultimately comfortably as they lost 4-3 to Leinster in the final clash but with a host of goals to spare.

Domestically, the women’s Division One’s top three all kept their 100% record intact, with champions Cork Harlequins having the most straightforward afternoon in a 5-0 success at Limerick.

Catholic Institute had to work for a 4-2 success at Bandon while Ciara Sexton’s goal separated UCC from Cashel/New Inn, in a game the students dominated but couldn’t find any further way through a superbly organised defence from the Tipperary girls.

Clonmel made a big statement in Division 1B with a 5-2 win over Blackrock but Waterford are still holding onto second place thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win at Cobh.

Cork C of I’s 10-1 win over Limerick — allied to a 1-0 success against UCC on Thursday night thanks to Stephen Sweetnam — has them out in front in the men’s Division 1.